Blitz Games' Andrew Oliver Discusses the Future of Games in Advance of FES2013

NewswireToday - /newswire/ -
Dunstable, Bedfordshire, United Kingdom, 2013/06/20 - In the run up to his involvement in the Futuresource Entertainment Summit on 4 July, Andrew Oliver, CTO, Blitz Games Studios, talks to Futuresource about the challenges and opportunities in the games market - FES2013.com.

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In the run up to his involvement in the Futuresource Entertainment Summit on 4 July, Andrew Oliver, CTO, Blitz Games Studios, talks to Futuresource about the challenges and opportunities in the games market, the relationship between mobile and console gaming and what he's expecting from FES2013.

The Futuresource Entertainment Summit is an annual summit that brings together best-in-class presentations, panels and keynotes which examine the strategies shaping the entertainment industry. The Futuresource entertainment summit will be exploring key themes including Smart Devices on the Move and in the Home; IP Connectivity and the Connected Consumer; The Transition from Physical to Digital; Rights Issues in the Multi-Platform World; The Role of Gaming and the Impact of Apps; Music Streaming; Cloud and the Digital Locker; The Strategic Impact of 4K; The Changing Face of Consumer Behaviour; Consumer Insights and Disruptive Technologies; The Changing Role of Retail.

Andrew Oliver provides some very interesting thoughts on the progression of the gaming market;

(Q) What is the one challenge or opportunity in the marketplace that holds most of your focus at the moment?
(A) A lot of focus for developers at the moment is getting a reliable/predictable business model. On the console side, costs continue to rise with the advent of new consoles, but there's been a sharp decline in sales. How will this change on new launches? On mobile, it's working out how to ensure a game is 'discoverable' and can monetise effectively through micropayments.

(Q) On the whole, would you say mobile gaming is cannibalising consoles or is there an additive effect?
(A)There's no doubt that consumers are spending their 'gadget' money on phones and tablets, and their causal gaming time on these devices. While it's taking attention away from console gaming at the moment, it's ultimately making gaming a pastime recognised and commonplace by everyone globally. Ultimately many of those enjoying the entertainment will aspire to the larger experiences that consoles offer.

(Q) Where are the next big opportunities in the games industry at the moment?
(A) Online, connected and playing with friends. Too many games have been too insular for too long, relying on 'challenge' and people trying to beat a personal best. Games can and should be far more social and not necessarily based on challenge. We now have the technology to bring this easily to everyone.

(Q) After the successful launch of Paper Titans, what should we be watching for from Blitz Games?
(A) We're looking at server-based connected experiences, all accessed seamlessly from a multitude of devices, playing alongside your real friends in persistent worlds.

(Q) Which aspects of the Futuresource Entertainment Summit are you particularly looking forward to?
(A) The games landscape is changing at an unprecedented speed. The technology that is finding itself in the pockets or living rooms of people everywhere has incredible potential to entertain like never before. But, it's about using this new technology in interesting and innovative ways, that have long-lasting mass appeal. The talks all contain useful information that give us a clearer understanding of this new landscape, what works and what doesn't. I'm looking forward to the unexpected genius ideas or gems within talks that could lead us to creating the next smash hit.

(Q) What will delegates learn from you by attending the Futuresource Entertainment Summit?
(A) In creating games for over 25 years, I've seen how the waves of technology keep changing the game and it's about how to ride those waves. It's certainly not from just doing the same thing, it's about tackling the business smartly. What market will the new technology open up and what is the best approach for tackling the opportunities that arise? These are the questions I hope to address at the Futuresource Entertainment Summit.

From smart devices on the move and in the home to gaming in all its forms, from the cloud and digital lockers to the changing role of retail, from multi-platform business models to music and everything in between, FES2013 (fes2013.com) is the place you need to be to fully understand the dynamics across the entire home and personal entertainment universe.

Hear from the opinion leaders, network with the key players, watch live consumer panels as the results unfold and understand the true impact that the future entertainment landscape will have on your business. You cannot afford to miss this event! Register now at FES2013

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